Mystery photo

Anyone got any ideas where this is? Believed to be taken in Wales in the 1950s. It ain't the FR...

 

Are you sure it is the '50s? Just looking at the plastic mac, I remember people being dead chuffed with them in the late '60s and them shredding up within minutes on Blackpool prom in a good breeze!


Edit, just had a mooch and found this, 1953 Pakamac:-

http://www.historyworld.co.uk/advert.php?id=1089

17 Shillings and sixpence, that was a weeks wage for my dad back then!

 

Looks standard gauge to me Andrew?

 

...Looks very standard gauge to me....!

 

Dismantled by the 1950s [and the plastic mac seems to confirm the era] and definately standard gauge should limit the alternatives. I've had a quick look at Chris Gammell's 'GWR Branch Lines' but nothing obvious springs out.There won't be many around who will have direct knowledge from that long ago.Can't think of many North Wales lines closed completely by then. I'm assuming that is a goods shed on the extreme left rather than a locoshed. The church spire[?] might indicate a larger settlement and not your typical N. Wales village with chapels rather than churches. My guess is South Wales, the Leominster branch to New Radnor or something in the Moss Valley area near Wrexham.

 

Very possible! Line closed completely 1962 but the suggested date might be a bit out. The buildings look right for that area.Need someone who knows their canopy valances - GWR or LNWR?

 

My first thoughts were Trawsfynydd or Blaenau GW but since comparing it with known pictures I'm having second thoughts. The time period would be right and the location "Festiniog" marked on the image. Ray.

 

I though the same when I saw it, but I though no, as it was never completely lifted AFAIK.

 

No Trawsfynydd is/was on a hillside above the village -which is much smaller than the one depicted. The track remains in place only as far as the loading point for nuclear flasks which is some way short of the station area.Track is still be there I think but very overgrown

 

I would agree as I don't think there was an engine shed at Blaenau (?).

 

There was one on the LNWR branch but a very distinctive one with an attached carriage shed.

 

Ah, very interesting - I didn't know that. Thanks.

 

Sorry I was taking about Blaenau, I didn't think it looked like Trawsfynydd it all.

 

The GW shed was just south of Blaenau at Manod. Ray.

 

I thought that it was a goods shed. Can't help with the location, though.

 

..In anycase this photo has nothing to do with narrow gauge so why is it being discussed here ?